Australia’s most far-flung major city, Perth is a modern metropolis of almost two million, the capital of Western Australia, and is deservedly becoming one of the country’s top spots to visit. Traditionally viewed as a backward outpost of sorts, today Perth boasts all the amenities of any major city, and then some. With an ideal tropical climate and proximity to beaches, forests, islands, wine country, and surfing, there is something here for every type of traveler. Here are some of our favorite spots in and around the greater metropolitan area that are well worth putting on your must-see list (in alphabetical order):

A tribute to German engineering, the Munich city transit system is fast and efficient. Pretty much every place that tourists and short-term visitors will want to see (except for the airport and Dachau) is found in the inner zone (Innenraum), which is marked blue on Munich’s public transit maps. This keeps transport costs down and minimizes the need for transfers and complicated routes.

Tickets are valid across all platforms – U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses. However, they have to be validated (i.e. time stamped) before you board. Machines on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn platforms can take care of this, as can drivers on buses on trams. Failing to validate your ticket puts you at the mercy of the plainclothes inspectors that you probably didn’t even know you were traveling with. They dole out €40 fines with that world-famous brand of German efficiency. Don’t test the system.

There are three types of tickets available for Munich’s public transport system, which are valid on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn as well as on buses and trams:

]]>Brisbane – Five Top Sightshttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/12/18/brisbane-five-top-sights.htmlRyland Summers2014-12-18T01:00:59Z2014-12-18T01:00:59Z

Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast are the cities that come to mind when people think of Australia. But it would be a shame to forget Brisbane! The seaside city of 2.2 million offers plenty to see and do, a relaxed lifestyle, and an abundance of energy. These have combined to make it one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The city launched its new slogan at the beginning of 2014 — Give me Brisbane any day. After spending any amount of time here, you’ll be sure to agree. If you do decide to visit, make sure to hit up these five spots before heading back home.

]]>Family travel to the Los Angeles area – What are some of the best places to stay?http://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/12/11/family-travel-to-the-los-angeles-area-what-are-some-of-the-b.htmlsharon2014-12-11T01:00:17Z2014-12-11T01:00:17Z

Los Angeles needs no introduction. It is the home to Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, beaches and many other attractions that kids are sure to love. These, plus the fact that they are spread out across a large city, means that the hardest thing about planning a trip to LA with a family is deciding where to stay.

To make the task easier, here’s a list of some the main areas to stay in Los Angeles. Public transportation is generally not very good here, so this is something to take into account when picking a destination if you don’t plan on renting a car.

Taipei has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to eat in the world. Many visitors arrive with an empty stomach and plans to fill it up as quickly as possible — plans that rarely go unfulfilled. But traveling with children presents a challenge: will they enjoy eating strange food in strange places? Thankfully, Taipei’s many food choices present few problems for children. In fact, they may even end up eating more than their parents!

]]>Five Great Things to do in London for Freehttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/11/13/five-great-things-to-do-in-london-for-free.htmlKatie Dudley2014-11-13T01:00:38Z2014-11-13T01:00:38Z

London may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but if you’re in the know, a visit to the English capital doesn’t have to be costly at all. There are so many amazing free activities, events and sights in London. You’ll have no problem indulging in the city’s many offerings while sticking to your budget! Even a simple stroll along the South Bank of the Thames rewards you with iconic London sights including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.

We’ve compiled a list of five fantastic things to do in London, and all of them at our favorite price – free!

Get your cameras up as the sun goes down and share your best sunset snaps with us on Instagram. Each day we’ll feature one of your photos on our Instagram and the three best will receive US$50 credit to use on Agoda.com.Simply tag your best sunset photos with #SunsetSnaps and mention @agoda to enter. Make sure to submit your photo before the contest ends on November 20! Good luck and happy snapping!

]]>Phuket with kids: what beaches are best?http://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/10/30/phuket-with-kids-what-beaches-are-best.htmlsharon2014-10-30T01:00:07Z2014-10-30T01:00:07Z

Like it or not, Phuket is often associated closely with its infamous Patong area, one of the most famous party spots in Asia. But thankfully, there is much more to Phuket than Patong. In fact, there are many beach areas that are perfect for children, where the whole family can relax and enjoy the sun, sand, and warm, blue water.

]]>Five Great National Parks: Francehttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/10/23/five-great-national-parks-france.htmlDerek Kirk2014-10-23T01:00:27Z2014-10-23T01:00:27Z

Whether you’ve come to admire the view, brave the slopes or simply burn off those extra calories from the wine and cheese, the French countryside boasts some spectacular and challenging landscapes. The country hosts a total of ten national parks, though three of these are found offshore in the country’s overseas departments. We’re going to take a look at five particularly captivating parks within the country itself.

]]>Agoda: Top 10 Things to do in Osakahttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/10/9/agoda-top-10-things-to-do-in-osaka.htmlScott Coates2014-10-09T01:00:01Z2014-10-09T01:00:01Z

Three million residents make up Osaka, Japan’s third largest city and definitely one of its most colorful. Visitors are treated to a bustling landscape of action, bright flashing lights, and surprises around most corners. Famous as an electronics center, Osaka also blends in traditional sites and values, making it one of the country’s more pleasing metropolises to visit. Here are a few spots you’ll want to be sure to include on your trip (in alphabetical order):

]]>Agoda: Top 3 People Watching Spots in Florencehttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/9/18/agoda-top-3-people-watching-spots-in-florence.htmlScott Coates2014-09-18T01:00:12Z2014-09-18T01:00:12Z

Originally a Roman city, Florence captivates the imaginations of visitors as few European cities do. It is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Florence is known as the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ due to the staggering number of churches, monuments and works of cultural significance that are seemingly around each and every corner.

Roughly 1,500,000 people call greater metropolitan Florence home, 400,000 of them live in the city itself. But that’s nothing compared to the tourist population. Visitors outnumber locals from April to October. During this time, spotting a local is a feat in and of itself. But with plazas and squares in abundance, and tasty, locally made Chianti wine available for purchase, there’s good reason to simply sit back and observe the city’s diverse crowds. So grab your beverage of choice, find a seat at one of our favorite spots for people watching, and then watch the people go by.

The heart-and-soul of Indonesia, Jogja, as it’s known to locals, boasts a thriving art scene, wonderful architecture, nearby beaches and a heady shopping scene, all in the shadow of the sultan’s palace. It’s a mash-up of old and new, from ancient temples to brand-new shopping malls. If you’re preparing to visit this vibrant city, plan on spending some time in the following neighborhoods:

Malioboro

Jalan Malioboro is the Main Street of Yogyakarta, and it approaches, though doesn’t quite arrive at, the sultan’s palace. This is one-stop-shopping at its finest, and the sidewalks are lined with merchant stalls hawking souvenirs, batik and silver. A lot of tourists are keen to skip Malioboro and purchase handicrafts from the artisan workshops on the outskirts of town. By all means, buy from the source, but that doesn’t mean you can’t browse the wares on Malioboro first. If you do decide to purchase gifts from a street stall, be prepared to bargain. It’s part of the experience, after all.

Getting around is a pleasure in Paris—especially if you’re into cycling or cruising the River Seine. But in even more practical terms, this is a city that knows how to organize public transport. Between the metro, light rail, tram and bus lines, you’re able to get anywhere in the city center on relatively short notice. And in all honesty, even walking is a pleasure in a city that’s as chock full of attractions as this.

For transport purposes, the city is divided into six different zones (though you’ll probably be spending most of your time in Zones 1 and 2). Metro tickets can purchased from vending machines in the stations and also provide access to buses and trams. Save money by buying them in bundles of ten (called a carnet), or you can even pick up daily or weekly passes. TheParis Visite pass is intended especially for tourists.

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of Paris’ public transit options:

]]>Five Great Things to do in Munich for Freehttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/7/17/five-great-things-to-do-in-munich-for-free.htmlKatie Dudley2014-07-17T06:55:35Z2014-07-17T06:55:35Z

Bursting with Bavarian charm, Munich exemplifies Germany’s beer-drinking, sausage-eating, Lederhosen-wearing reputation, and while the rest of the country may resent this image, Munich proudly embraces its unique, vibrant heritage.

Although Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany, visitors need not turn their money purses inside out to have a good time; there are plenty of free activities to fill up your trip and give you a taste of the history and culture of the Bavarian capital.

Relax in the English garden

Munich’s Englischer Garten is one of the biggest and best urban parks in the world, and is easily accessible from the city center. The park provides the perfect retreat from the city, and locals flock here in the summer to get away and relax in the sun. But don’t worry: it’s easy to escape the crowds in this vast oasis of greenery which covers an area of 2.3 square miles.

It’s safe to say that almost every Korean meal you will ever eat will include kimchi. Kimchi is a fermented dish that can be prepared with a choice of vegetables such as radish, cucumber, or cabbage. The vegetable is cured with salt and loaded with dry chili flakes, then left to sit for a few days until mild fermentation begins to occur, the level of bitterness being determined by how long the fermentation process is. When you eat a Korean meal, kimchi is served as what’s known as a banchan, or a small side dish. Despite being considered only a condiment to complement a main course, kimchi is often considered to be the national food of South Korea.

]]>Agoda: Top 10 Things to See in Londonhttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/6/18/agoda-top-10-things-to-see-in-london.htmlScott Coates2014-06-18T04:30:32Z2014-06-18T04:30:32Z

Founded by the Romans more than two thousand years ago, few cities are as rich in history, culture, and character as London. Home to revolutionary innovation, famous writers and musicians, leveled by war, and rebuilt into one of the world's leading financial centers, London truly is a city fit for a king (or queen). Start your exploration of the UK's capital at ten of our favorite spots.

Kyoto is a Japanese city unlike any other. Modern office towers and a city center sit next to one of the highest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on earth, somehow in perfect harmony. Business people do their thing while monks tend to their temples and visitors marvel at it all. Perhaps this shouldn't be a surprise as most of the stunning temples that dot the city's landscape are all about peace and tranquility at their heart.

The city is also home to real geishas who manage to live highly traditional lives, going to and from in their kimonos as they have for thousands of years, seemingly unaware of the modern world around them. This is a place where different worlds literally intersect, collide, and work well together, creating a fantastically rich social canvas to watch go by. Kyoto is a fascinating city, but also a wonderful spot to slow down, take a seat, and watch its people live their lives. Here are three of our favorite spots to get a sense of the social fabric of this most traditional of Japanese cities and watch its people live their lives.

Sydney is a world-class city with a variety of public transport options you’ll need in motion. The offerings are a little bit underwhelming (though entirely adequate), with no dedicated underground service and LRT routes that keep opening, closing and opening again along new arteries. While you may hear locals complaining about the rising specter of traffic or a confounding shortage of taxis, the truth is that visitors don’t really feel the pinch when it comes to Sydney’s public transit woes. By all rights, the city has you covered via road, rail and sea.

If you're planning a go-wherever-you-feel-like tour of Sydney vs. a more regimented itinerary, you’ll almost certainly save money with the MyMulti Day Pass. Pay a flat rate and enjoy 24 hours’ access to all of the following:

]]>Florence – Five Top Highlightshttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/5/7/florence-five-top-highlights.htmlRyland Summers2014-05-07T02:30:23Z2014-05-07T02:30:23Z

It’s safe to say that Florence is one of the most amazing cities in all of Italy. Apart from the most popular reasons to visit Italy – to taste the food and gaze upon the architecture – there are plenty of spectacular sites and attractions around Florence that stimulate and charm the other senses.

Bali is a big island with a long history of tourism and beaches that range from frenetic to lazy. Generally speaking, for the tropical idyll of powder-fine sands and calm seas you are probably on the wrong island (the Gilis might be more what you're looking for), but for surfing, diving, dining, dolphin spotting and enjoying coastal village culture, Bali is your place. The most popular and accessible beaches are those closer to Denpasar airport, at the bottom of the island.

Kuta

The birthplace of tourism in Bali, Kuta started out as primarily a surf spot. Still a popular destination for surfers – especially from Australia – the beach now draws an international crowd of all permutations. There's little observable "authentic" Balinese culture this close to the airport, but there's still a small-town charm in the area's narrow winding lanes, urban rice paddies, ramshackle shophouses and moped traffic jams. On this side of the island, the beaches are best from April to October when the monsoon is directed out to sea, rather than blowing debris up on shore.

The atmosphere on the beach changes depending on where you are along its five-plus kilometer span. It starts off crowded in the south, where Kuta's main shops, restaurants, bars and clubs are, and gets more peaceful the farther north you go. For affordable Bali accommodation Kuta is the best location – especially for younger independent travelers seeking to party with like-minded souls.

]]>Five Great National Parks: Australiahttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/4/9/five-great-national-parks-australia.htmlDerek Kirk2014-04-08T17:24:00Z2014-04-08T17:24:00Z

Australia’s diverse ecosystems are among its headlining attractions, and you could spend years just exploring the national parkland on this island continent. Of course, no one has time to see them all, so we’ve compiled a list of five great national parks in Australia. Just plan on doing a lot more than cooing over the adorable koalas (though, to be fair, there’ll be time for that, too).

]]>Hotels of Note: The Royal Horseguardshttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/3/26/hotels-of-note-the-royal-horseguards.htmlSerena Chu2014-03-26T14:40:00Z2014-03-26T14:40:00Z

In a city like London, it's easy for the grandeur of history and tradition to get a bit diluted. After all, it is a city loaded with prestige and status, but there are certainly several standout properties that continue to impress even the most jaded of visitors. One such property is the Royal Horseguards, a hotel that has become an enduring icon along the banks of the Thames.

Originally built as a block of luxury apartments in 1884, it officially opened as a hotel in 1971. Many of its early investors had close ties to the British military - more specifically the Household Cavalry, the most prestigious unit of the British Army and the Queens official bodyguard. Indeed, during both world wars, the hotel was taken over by the Ministry of Defense and was used as a base of operations by MI5 and MI6, Britain's most secretive and powerful spy organizations.

In 1985, the hotel acquired the upper floors of the adjoining National Liberal Club at 1 Whitehall Place, an expansion that upped the total number of guestrooms and suites by 140. Because of its prime location, the hotel has long been a top choice for governmental meetings and operations, run by the Houses of Parliament and the Foreign Office.

Thailand is a country with an incredibly diverse variation of regional dishes. At Thai restaurants outside Thailand, the food is often lumped into a single category: Thai cuisine. In Thailand however, you'll find that food at restaurants is often grouped by region, many restaurants only serving food from one particular region of Thai cuisine. While there are countless variations of Thai food by region, there are four main categories; Isaan northeastern, Lanna northern, Bangkok central, and southern Thai.

Isaan food, also known as the cuisine originating from the northeastern region of Thailand, is one of the most popular and widely consumed varieties of food in the entire country. Sticky rice, which is steamed and is much more glutinous than regular jasmine rice, is the main staple grain in Isaan. This variation of Thai cuisine includes lots of fresh vegetable & meat salads, as well as meat and fish often roasted over charcoal. Some popular examples include somtam, a combination of shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, chilies, garlic, fish sauce, fermented fish sauce (optional), lime juice, and palm sugar; kaw moo yang, grilled pork neck that’s sliced into bite sized pieces and served with a chili dipping sauce; larb moo, a salad of minced pork in a dressing of lime juice and chilies; and tom sap, a hot and sour soup.

Thankfully, Taipei lacks the endless, jam-packed urban sprawls of other Asian cities like Beijing or Bangkok, but it still packs a punch when it comes to rush hour traffic and labyrinthine public transportation. For tourists going in with the mentality of “doing what the locals do,” and just copying a random commuter, they may find themselves on alternative lines of transit, which can range from cross-country trains to rentable tandem bikes, so…best to know exactly how things work before you dive in.

]]>Valentine’s Day in Asia – is it a big deal?http://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/2/12/valentines-day-in-asia-is-it-a-big-deal.htmlGreg Jorgensen2014-02-12T09:18:19Z2014-02-12T09:18:19Z

Valentine’s Day in western countries is celebrated by everyone from young school children to senior couples who have been married for decades. It’s usually a pretty standard affair – a card, a romantic dinner, chocolates, a gift, and – for the truly dedicated – engagements or weddings.

But in Asia – where western traditions often have to be modified to fit around long-established cultural norms – Valentine’s Day takes on interesting new dimensions.

For instance, in China, there are several important rules one must observe if they want to impress someone. Do not, under any circumstances, give an umbrella or a fan. This is because the Chinese word for both sounds similar to the Chinese word for “to leave” or “to separate,” which is definitely not what Valentine’s Day is about. Similarly, avoid shoe shopping, since shoes represent someone who is ready to walk away.

There is no better way to explore a city than on foot, and if that walk takes you along a sea-fronting 4.3km promenade, what could be nicer? Welcome to Mumbai's Marine Drive, a gently curving wide road that carries traffic to and from the busy Nariman Point, a hub of office blocks, government offices and shops. Marine Drive is rather picturesquely known in all the guidebooks as the Queens Necklace, and technically as Netaji Shubash Chandra Bose Road but everyone calls it, quite simply, Marine Drive.

Mansion blocks line one side of the drive, and anywhere else in the world they would be fabulously expensive pieces of real estate, not to mention eye-poppingly beautiful. Here in Mumbai they are indeed fabulously expensive but many of them are distinctly ramshackle, relics of a repressive rent control regime that means people paid virtually nothing for prime real estate, and so the landlords (naturally) didn't bother with the upkeep. Along with the mansion blocks there is the gorgeous 19th century Wilson College, sports clubs, equestrian shows, and a large aquarium that is a venerable institution, visited by generations of children on organized school trips. There are cricket pitches – always busy – a railway line, statues, hotels and restaurants, and a brand new hospital that looks more like a 7 star hotel from the outside. The variety is fascinating.

]]>Hotels of Note: The Strandhttp://travelblog.agoda.com/home/2014/1/14/hotels-of-note-the-strand.htmlDerek Kirk2014-01-14T01:33:46Z2014-01-14T01:33:46Z

The Strand is one of a set of colonial-era hotels opened by the Sarkies, a band of Armenian brothers who boasted some of the finest handlebar moustaches the world has ever known. The Sarkie Brothers’ other two hotels – E&O on Penang and Raffles Hotel in Singapore – are better known because they stayed in operation while Burma was on geopolitical lockdown. But don’t let that turn you off of the Strand. An ambitious restoration project has returned it to its former glory, and it remains a quintessential tribute to Victorian-era luxury.

Hotel History The Strand opened on the Yangon River in 1901. At that time, it was one of the most luxurious hotels in the British colonial empire, and 92 Strand Road quickly became one of the most prestigious addresses in Asia. However, the Sarkies Brothers sold the hotel to a local restaurateur in 1925, and the fate of the Strand took a turn.

In traditional Burmese cuisine, salads play an important role. Many of these traditional dishes are eaten as small snacks and can be easily assembled at home with readily available ingredients. By combining these ingredients – spicy, salty, and sour – Burmese salads are packed with exciting flavors and textures. There are many different types, but here are six of the most popular to whet your appetite.

Laphet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad) - Tea leaves are seldom eaten anywhere in the world, but Burmese laphet thoke, a salad made from fermented tea leaves, is one of the iconic dishes of the country. The leaves are pickled until slightly fermented, then mixed with onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, peanuts, roasted soybeans, or a number of other crunchy nuts or beans. The salad is dressed with a hint of lime juice and fish sauce to create a Burmese dish that’s both fresh and unusual, especially for western palates.

Leave it to the English aristocracy to turn a simple afternoon snack into a full-blown production, complete with artfully prepared petits fours (bite-sized snacks) that look so nice they actually invoke a twinge of guilt when bitten into. Just a twinge, though. I mean, honestly – you’re supposed to eat them.

Fortunately for today’s travelers, you don’t have to be a duke or a duchess to count yourself among the socialites at a high-brow afternoon tea affair. Some of the finest high tea affairs in the world are staged in five-star hotels across Asia – and particularly in former seats of the British colonial empire. To that end, let’s have a look at a few of the best places to enjoy high tea in Asia.

Spending New Year’s Eve in a strange city is always a bit daunting. Where do you go? What should you do? Where’s the best place to experience the holiday as the locals do? With that in mind, Agoda.com contacted some locals in Asia’s biggest cities and asked them where they’d go if they wanted a good show, some great fireworks, and big crowds of people celebrating their entry into 2014.